‘Oh, that’s right! That’s very noble of you, Herbert,’ said both the girls in a breath.
‘Well, you see, old Frank is good to live these thirty or forty years yet, and what was the good of having to wait? Better have done with it at once, I say, and he has written me a stunning jolly letter.’
‘Oh, I was sure he would!’ cried Constance.
‘I’m to go on just the same, and he won’t cut off my allowance,’ pursued Herbert.
‘It is just as my papa says,’ put in Rose, ‘he is always the gentleman. And you’ll be in the army still?’
‘When I’ve got through my exams; but they are no joke, Miss Rose, I can tell you. It is Conny there that likes to sap. What have you been doing this time, little one?’
‘I don’t know yet, but Miss Astley thinks I have done well and shall get into the upper form,’ said Constance shyly. ‘I got on with my German while I was abroad, trying to teach Uncle Frank.’
At which Herbert laughed heartily, and demanded what sort of scholar he made.
‘Not very good,’ owned Constance; ‘he did forget so from day to day, and he asked so many questions, and was always wanting to have things explained. But it made me know them better, and Mrs. Bury had such nice books, and she helped me. If you want to take up French and German, Bertie—